US: Melamine from contaminated pet food enters human food chain
{{date|April 29, 2007}}

At least 45 people are reported to have eaten [[w:pork|pork]] which came from a hog farm in [[w:Ceres, California|Ceres, California]] in the [[United States]], where pigs from the farm were fed pet food which was recalled because it was contaminated with the chemical [[w:melamine|melamine]].

So far none of the individuals have experienced signs of illnesses, but it is not known what effect the chemical, when ingested, has on humans because no major study has taken place on melamine.

On April 21, at least seven urine samples taken from pigs at hog farm, were tested and the results came back positive for the chemical melamine. At least three samples from the feed used to feed the pigs were tested and those results also came back positive for melamine.

Yesterday, the United States [[w:United States Food and Drug Administration|Food and Drug Administration]] or FDA, said in a statement that "we have no evidence of harm to humans associated with the processed pork product" and that "no recall of meat products processed from these animals is being issued."

Despite the consumption of pork by humans, the FDA states that the risk to human health is minimal.

"The assessment that, if there were to be harm to human health, it would be very low, is based on a number of factors, including the dilution of the contaminating melamine and melamine-related compounds from the original rice protein concentrate as it moves through the food system. First it is a partial ingredient in the pet food; second, it is only part of the total feed given to the hogs; third, it is not known to accumulate in the hogs and the hogs excrete melamine in their urine; fourth, even if present in pork, pork is only a small part of the average American diet. Neither FDA nor USDA has uncovered any evidence of harm to the swine from the contaminated feed," added the statement.

On March 19, the manufacturer of the food, Menu Foods, which is based in [[w:Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga, Ontario]] in [[Canada]], recalled all of its dog and cat food which totaled over 60 million items. On April 28, Canadian officials announced that they will hold products, such as wheat and corn gluten, as well as soy and rice proteins that have been imported from [[China]] until they can be tested for melamine.

It is not known how extensive the outbreak is.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Canadian inspectors to test food ingredients from China|date=April 28, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Pigs fed contaminated pet food; meat sold to consumers|date=April 21, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=US Food and Drug Administration reports melamine found in contaminated pet food|date=March 30, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Contaminated pet food causes massive recall|date=March 19, 2007}}

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=67187&r=0
|title=Pet food contaminants have spread to food chain; 45 California residents consumed meat from hogs that were given tainted feed
|author=Stephen J. Hedges and Mary Ann Fergus
|pub=New Philadelphia Times Reporter
|date=April 29, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/04/28/0429natpetfood.html
|title=Tainted food risk spreads to humans
|author=
|pub=Atlanta Journal Constitution
|date=April 29, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01620.html
|title=Press Release: FDA/USDA Update on Tainted Animal Feed
|author=
|pub=FDA
|date=April 28, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Product recalls]]
[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Food and Drug Administration]]
[[Category:Cats]]
[[Category:Dogs]]
At least 45 people are reported to have eaten pork which came from a hog farm in Ceres, California in the United States, where pigs from the farm were fed pet food which was recalled because it was contaminated with the chemical melamine.

So far none of the individuals have experienced signs of illnesses, but it is not known what effect the chemical, when ingested, has on humans because no major study has taken place on melamine.

On April 21, at least seven urine samples taken from pigs at hog farm, were tested and the results came back positive for the chemical melamine. At least three samples from the feed used to feed the pigs were tested and those results also came back positive for melamine.

Yesterday, the United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA, said in a statement that "we have no evidence of harm to humans associated with the processed pork product" and that "no recall of meat products processed from these animals is being issued."

Despite the consumption of pork by humans, the FDA states that the risk to human health is minimal.

"The assessment that, if there were to be harm to human health, it would be very low, is based on a number of factors, including the dilution of the contaminating melamine and melamine-related compounds from the original rice protein concentrate as it moves through the food system. First it is a partial ingredient in the pet food; second, it is only part of the total feed given to the hogs; third, it is not known to accumulate in the hogs and the hogs excrete melamine in their urine; fourth, even if present in pork, pork is only a small part of the average American diet. Neither FDA nor USDA has uncovered any evidence of harm to the swine from the contaminated feed," added the statement.

On March 19, the manufacturer of the food, Menu Foods, which is based in Mississauga, Ontario in Canada, recalled all of its dog and cat food which totaled over 60 million items. On April 28, Canadian officials announced that they will hold products, such as wheat and corn gluten, as well as soy and rice proteins that have been imported from China until they can be tested for melamine.

It is not known how extensive the outbreak is.
Product recalls Health North America United States Canada China Food and Drug Administration Cats Dogs